Rolling Thunder Rolls into DC Area

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA9) -- The rumble of hundreds of thousands bikers could be heard on the National Mall Sunday. It is the 25th annual Rolling Thunder to bring attention to America's Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.

Jim Kelly said,"It's a great time to stop and thank the veterans who provide the freedom we all live under.

It's important for Victor Ayala to support those who've served.

"Mostly friends that I've lost and every year the group gets smaller because some of the guys die off," said Ayala.

Veterans are not the only ones who ride or give a patriotic wave

There are friends such as Jim Kelly: "I haven't served, a lot of my friends have served. I've been coming 6 or 7 years."

From the first run 25 years ago, with 2500 riders, to now with hundreds of thousands on the National Mall.

"We came because we remember the fallen of this nation through all the wars."

They also come so their presence will speak as loudly as the rumble of riders and that we may never forget our POWs and the missing in action.

"We can't give up on bringing them home."

"How wonderful America is in contrast to the rest of the world and how blessed we have been over the years."

While Victor Ayala stands to support others, he is just as deserving, an Army Vet, who got shot in Vietnam.

Victor Ayala told us,"Makes me tear up just to see all the support, that's all."

Besides bringing attention to POW's and MIA's Rolling Thunder also puts a spotlight on the veterans who are without healthcare, high suicide rates, and thousands of disability claims that go unanswered.